Beyond Blue

Katherine’s Update

Just so all my Beyond Blue readers know, my story has a very happy ending.
Katherine had a severe case of croup, a viral illness or laryngotracheobronchitis (its formal term) that is common in children ages six months to three years. The symptoms of croup are caused by inflammation, swelling and the buildup of mucus in the larynx, trachea (windpipe) and bronchial tubes, and the onset can be sudden. The symptoms are worsened when the child is anxious or agitated, or freaking out like both Katherine and I were.
After a shot of steroids, she was able to breathe easier, and the doctor gave me several suggestions for preventing the bronchial tubes from closing up again. However, he said we absolutely did the right thing by calling 911 since when the symptoms are as severe as in Katherine’s case, it is necessary to facilitate the breathing with an oxygen mask as you intervene with steroids.
I can say, with confidence, that yesterday was the scariest parenting day of my life … more so even than Ash Wednesday of 2004. I probably won’t gripe about my kids for a good two or three days, as I’m feeling incredibly blessed that they’re alive.

So glad to hear! Sometimes prayers are answered …
(My post on the other thread still stands on reflecting before you, well, do any divine bargaining you might regret later, though.)

Lynne

It’s okay to bargain with God. We ALL do! I’m so very glad Katherine is fine. There’s nothing so terrifying as seeing your child in dire distress and that feeling of panic and helplessness. God understands and doesn’t hold us accountable for extreme emotional outbursts. If He did there be a lot more of us “begging Lazarus for a handout”.

John

I’m glad it all worked out for Katherine. I can remember to this day the first time my daughter had croup. Terrifying to say the least when you don’t know what it is. She’s 23 now but had a stay in the hospital when it first occurred. What worked for her during later bouts was when I carried her around in the cold night air. Sometimes steam from a shower works too (but didn’t for her…it was cold air).
Best of luck Therese!!

Nathalie

I’m glad your daughter is ok. My son had croup too, his coughing was horrible but we never had to bring him to the hospital. The shower’s steam worked well in his case.

Jennifer

ugg. I hate the croup! My youngest seems to be particularly susceptible to it. The first time she had it the only thing that held me back from going to the ER was that she wanted to nurse and she was still breathing ok. If she had struggled I’d have known it was time to go!

Margaret Balyeat

The most frightening thing about parenthood is those moments whe our children are truly ill and we know without a doubt that it’s OUR decisions that will spll the difference between life and death (Do I call 911, or will they think i’m just a neurotic mother?)The most thankful moments tend to be those after the crisis has passed when we wonder how we couldEVER have found a single thing worth complaining about in terms of the trials of mother/fatherhood. I’m glad you and katherine came through this particular crisis on the winning side, T. A few extra hugs, kisses and snuggles are enough of a penance to pay, though, don’t set yourself up by feeling guilty when she (and she WILL) next gets on your nerves. That’s part of the package as well, and your ‘inner critic will LOVE being able to expound on your lack of thankfulness’ when she uses your lipstick to draw on the freshly painted bathroom walls or whatever. Don’t afford that negative side of your psyche any more power than she already holds. The truth is that ALL parents have moments of extreme thankfulness as well as times of extreme irritability when our little one do things they shouldn’t; it’s all part of the wonderful adventure and blessing of parenthood. One doesn’t cancel out the other, nor should we allow it to. after all, you don’t want your kids to grow up believing that it’s OKAY to arite on walls or flush each other’s favorite toys down the toilet, do you? You and your precious daughter(David, too!) remain in my heart and prayers

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